Structure for trellises and the like



1,628 49 J. s. KIRFMAN STRUCTURE FOR TRELLISES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 13, 1924 jg" I Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOHN s. KIBFMAN, or mus MOINES, IOWA.

STRUCTURE FOR TRELLISES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 13, 1924.- Serial No. 743,396.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a structure of. simple, effective and inexpensive construction, fortrellises, tree-guards, flower bed guards and so on.

More articularly, it is my object to provide such a device, having a ph'lrality oi bars, flexibly connected together for adjustment toward or from each other.

Another object is to provide in such a device, a series of such bars and to provide a novel device for detachably connecting the bars together to permit the entire device to be expanded or contracted in length with a minimum of effort and without removing or inserting parts, andalso to permit the device to be rolled into a bundle or formed into a circle or other desired shape.

\Vith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fullyset forth, pointed out, in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a portion of a trellis embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the same.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of one of the metal connecting members; and

Figure 4 shows a detailed, sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

I have devised a structure, which is adapted to be used for making trellises or making a protector for the trunks of trees or for flower beds or the like.

This structure is composed of a series of parallel bars suitably connected together.

Insomuch as the devices may be hung with the bars horizontal for trellises, or may be arranged with the bars vertical for devices to be put around garbage cans, flower beds or trees, it is desirable to have them arranged with considerable flexibility.

In order that they may automatically adjust themselves to the growth of trees and that they may be adjustable readily to the sizes of different flower beds, it is also desirablethat the bars should be adjustable toward and from each other.

For this purpose, I have provided novel means for connecting the bars together to permit such adjustment.

In the drawings herewith, I have used the reference numeral to indicate generally the bars used in anaking my structure.

These bars are connected together with metal plates or connecting devices. I

One of the connecting devices is shown in the plan view in Figure 3. It consists preterably of a plate 11 substantially rectangular gated slot 15 of such widthv as to receive the tongue 12.- At the end of the slot 15 adjacent to the tongue 12, the slot is widened to form an inclined slot portion 16 wider from side to side, than the slot portion 15 and inclined from the longitudinal axis of the plate 1.1, as shown.

I preferably fasten two of the plates 11 to each bar 10 by means of nails or the like 17, as shown particularly in Figure 1.

The head or cross bar 13011 the plate 11 secured. to the bar 10 is inserted through the inclined slot member 16, and then the tongue 12 is slid into theslot member 15.

In actual construction, various methods may be used. For instance, the bars 10 may be laid in proper spaced relations. The plates 11 may then be nailed to the first bar 10. There may be two or more .of the plates 11 secured to each bar 10 depending upon the length of those bars. Assuming that there are two plates for each bar, the plates for the next successive bar 10, after the first one, are then connected with the plates on the first bar, by slipping the members 13 through the openings 16 and sliding the tongues 12 into the slots 15, and thereon the second pair of plates 11 are nailed to the second bar 10.

This process is carried on until all of the bars 10 are connected together.

I have found in the actual use of my trellises that when they are put away for the winter, they are frequently rolled. When they are thus rolled, it isdesirable that they should not accidentally fall apart. In order to prevent their accidental separation, I have arranged the slot member 16, inclined as shown.

It thus follows that even though the members 12 should slide to position registering with the slot members '16, the members 13 will not slide out ofthe slot members 16.

hen it is desirable to add more bars to an already completed trellis, a section of trellis may be added by placing the sectimr in such a position that the head one of the plates on the end bar of the section is aligned with the slot in the corresponding plate on the completed trellis, when the plates on one side may be linked together.

The other ends of the end bars are then brought together, and the head of .one plate may be twisted with a pair of pliers until it is in the proper position to enter the slot in the corresponding plate on the completed trellis.

After'inserting the head in the slot, it is twisted back to its former position in order -to lock it in place.

It will be noted, by referring to Figure that it is impossible for the head 13 to be removed from the slot 16 without twistiu in order to separate the bars, it is necessary to take a pair .of pliers or some other tool and slightly twist or bend the members '12 until the members 13 can be removed through the slot members 16.

..t will, of course, be umlcrstood that the plates 11. are made oi? such material, as to permit such bending, and to 'also permit the trellises to be rolled up or arrangiged in a circle around the flower bed, with the members 10 standing on end.

rolled up without any danger of coming apart.

For instance, when a trellis is up, and is covered with vines, the only way to roll a trellis with the vines on it is to roll from the top down, until the roll is on the ground, where it can be covered for the winter.

Some changes may be made in the details of the structure without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my invention to cover by my claim, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be I'CHHOIP ably included within its scope.

I have found that the device works with reasonable satisfaction with other constructions, but by making the peculiararrangements of the slots herein disclosed, I can avoid some diliicultiesthat have heretofore occurred in connecting the bars it) together.

I. claim asmy invention:

A structurehaving series of parallel bars, means for connecting; these bars coniprising a plurality of connecting; members, eacn tOlllplirilnif a plate sulrf-itantially rectangular in outi'ine havii'ig at one end a T- shaped head and at the other a substantially l y-zhaped slot with the laterally extending portions o said slot inclined from the longitudinal axis oi. the plate, whereby the completed structure has expansibility and contractability with possible movement of the bars toward or from each other, so that the bars may be arraingedwin a circle or other forms, withoutremoval of said T shaped head from said slot.

De: irioines, iowa, July 2t, 1922.

JOHN S. KIRFMAN.

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